37 - 17 - Ax can Plane

<I am ready, Prince - well, I am ready.>

Ax stood in the small cockpit, four legs braced firmly, and began to flip switches on the control panel with his nimble fingers.

MMMrrrr . . .

The engines came to life. Ax pushed a control stick forward slowly and the plane began to taxi.

"You sure you understand the concept of takeoff, Ax-man?" Marco asked nervously.

Ax swiveled his stalk eyes and gave Marco a look of disdain. <I imagine that I will be able to comprehend this highly sophisticated human technology,> he said dryly.

The jet picked up speed. Ax steered it onto the taxiway and turned toward the runway. But still, it felt like we were crawling!

"Ax! The guards are gaining on us! Can't you . . ."

Ax turned onto the runway and opened up the throttle. At last, some speed!

Suddenly . . . <Ax! Look out!>

(...)

<Thank you, Rachel,> he said, his voice tight. <But I am afraid that evasive tactic cost us the necessary speed required to get the jet off the ground by the end of the runway.>

<They're getting real close,> Tobias warned. <And they've got a security van.> He had demorphed and was perched on the back of one of the two forward-facing passenger seats.

"Is there any chance, Ax?" I shouted.

<There is a small chance I can get us up. But if I fail . . .>

I darted a quick glance at Marco and Tobias.

Marco nodded, his eyes dark.

Tobias . . . his inscrutable hawk stare was unchanged, but I knew.

"Do it, Ax! Go for it!"

Faster, faster, faster. The engines louder. Trees rushing by, blurring . . .

I gripped the back of the pilot's seat, my knuckles white.

Yes!

<We have liftoff,> Ax said calmly.

I ran a hand over my forehead, beaded with sweat. I was nervous. Excited. Thankful. The rescue mission was underway.
We rose. Gained altitude and speed. Higher Faster. Over the anonymous country, suburb and city where we live. Toward the new Beane Tower And the Yeerk pool. And Cassie.